ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Leaders of the business community in Alaska say they have concerns about a proposed protected habitat for beluga whales in Cook Inlet.

They say the proposal may crimp maritime commerce and resource-development projects along the coast of the waterway.

U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, told the Anchorage Daily News the proposal announced by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was "yet another attempt to halt resource production and development in Alaska and a step toward making the whole state a national park for the enjoyment of outsiders."

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